For 2009, we’ll be bringing you the weekly musings and analysis of CollegeSportsView’s good friend, Mr. Gil Lock of Ryno Rife Sports. Gil is somewhat of a guru in the world of sports handicapping, searching out point spreads that are incorrectly valued and schools with large numbers of returning players that are “good big guys”. He keeps things simple, has a good knowledge of the game and likes to avoid long walks. He’ll let out the leash from time to time on a high risk/reward play but, for the most part, he finds the best method for success is to put the early muscle on your best picks and go from there with the house money.

ThursdayN.C. State – 5 over South Carolina. A revenge game for the Wolfpack after a 34-0 beating at the hands of the Gamecocks to open 2008. I love Russell Wilson’s athleticism at quarterback and the fact that State has a stud returning at FS, (Javon Walker), who could have a field day against South Carolina, who led the nation in INT’s thrown last year. The ‘Cocks have an inexperienced QB playing behind an equally green O Line and the game is in Raleigh.

SaturdayVirginia Tech +6 1/2 over Alabama. I love Tech’s QB Tyrod Taylor, who won’t be splitting the position anymore, and I don’t like that “Bama’s QB, Glen McElroy, is a new starter. In early season matchups between top teams, the defenses are usually ahead of the offenses; making the game come down to special teams. The Hokies have had the best specials in the nation since Frank Beamer showed up and will use “Beamer Ball” to keep it close.

Oklahoma State -5 1/2 over Georgia– Oklahoma State is just too strong, with QB Zac Robinson and WR Dez Bryant among the best offensive players in the nation. Georgia must replace two top NFL picks in Matt Stafford and Knowshon Moreno and travel to Stillwater. I might actually like the ‘Dawgs if this matchup was later in the season but I think it’s a little too much for them to handle in Week 1.